45 Delicious Easter Recipes

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com
June 01, 2012
Make your Easter menu memorable with our recipes for breakfast, brunch or dinner.
Start Slideshow

1 of 44

Cherry-Glazed Ham with Fresh Basil

When shopping, look for a ham with the lowest possible percentage of water. Choose an unglazed ham, and if your ham comes with a glaze packet, discard it. While you can choose either the butt half or the shank half, the butt half will give more succulent texture and a more distinct flavor.Cherry-Glazed Ham with Fresh Basil

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 44

Double-Malted Easter Snack Mix

Malted milk powder and chopped malted Easter egg candies give this festive sweet-and-salty springtime snack mix a double hit of malt-shop flavor.Double-Malted Easter Snack Mix

3 of 44

Tiny Quiche

Prebaked phyllo shells (available at large supermarkets) make this party-perfect recipe an absolute snap to make-start to finish, you'll be done in 35 minutes.Tiny Quiche

Advertisement

4 of 44

Hot Cross Buns

Soaking the currants in balsamic vinegar gives them a slightly tangy flavor that contrasts well with the rich dough of this classic Easter bread.Hot Cross Buns

5 of 44

Spring Potato Salad

This lightly sweet potato salad is a great way to use up leftover Easter ham.Spring Potato Salad recipe

6 of 44

Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops

Brushed with mustard and coated with garlicky breadcrumbs, these petite chops are a quick alternative to a classic leg of lamb. The recipe comes from Andy Schudlich of Epicure Catering and Cherry Basket Farm in Michigan.Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 44

Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Ginger

Whole-roasted carrots are an effortlessly glam side, perfect with ham. But the real genius here is the matchstick-sliced ginger that bakes with them. Candied in the glaze, it's a chewy, intensely gingery topping you'll be pinching right off the pan.Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Ginger

8 of 44

Eggs Benedict with Maltaise Sauce

What's Maltaise Sauce, you ask? It's just hollandaise sauce with a bit of orange zest and juice added. But you wouldn't believe how that bit of zing transforms this brunch standard.Eggs Benedict with Maltaise Sauce

9 of 44

Easter-egg rolls

For Easter-egg rolls, thaw frozen dinner rolls (such as Rhode's) according to package directions. Gently form rolls into egg shapes; let rise 1 hour. For each color, in a small bowl, whisk 1 egg yolk,2 teaspoons water and food coloring. Brush "paint" on rolls. (For stronger color, do a second coat.) Bake as directed. Serve nestled in a basket.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 44

Honey French Toast with Macerated Berries

Egg bread, extra egg yolks and half-and-half take a trusty diner classic to new levels of splurge. (Trust us, you won't regret going along for the ride.) Both the French toast and berries need to rest overnight, so this is an ideal make-ahead brunch dish. The recipe comes from The Birchwood Cafe Cookbook (University of Minnesota Press, $29.95).Honey French Toast with Macerated Berries

11 of 44

Bacon-Asparagus Strata

Asparagus, bacon and roasted red sweet peppers update a classic breakfast casserole mix of eggs, bread and cheese.Bacon-Asparagus Strata 

12 of 44

Chai-Spiced Compote

Inexpensive chai tea bags infuse Chai-Spiced Compote with the tongue-tingling flavors of ginger, cloves and cardamom. Because the recipe calls for frozen peaches and cherries, you can make this colorful fruit dessert year-round. If you're watching fat or calories, leave off the pecans and coconut and just enjoy the flavorful fruit.Chai-Spiced Compote

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 44

Hash Brown Quiche

Hash brown potatoes form the crust for this quiche recipe. To save time, start with frozen hash browns. Hash Brown Quiche

14 of 44

Garlic-Roasted Chicken with Lemons and Vegetables

This flavor-packed dish combines garlic-infused chicken with perfectly cooked vegetables. Roasting the lemon in the pan brings out its flavor.Garlic-Roasted Chicken with Lemons and Vegetables

15 of 44

Grilled Lamb Chops with Feta Salad

Feta cheese adds salty punch to a colorful salad from Chef Michael Symon. He recommends serving the salad with lamb chops, but it would work great with any grilled meat.Grilled Lamb Chops with Feta Salad 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 44

Zippy Cinnamon Rolls

Create these easy, gooey-good rolls by combining frozen bread dough and pudding mix. They'll taste like you spent all morning baking!Zippy Cinnamon Rolls

17 of 44

Roast Rack of Lamb with Cider Glaze

Roast whole apples to go with your rack of lamb, served with a simple apple cider glaze. The recipe comes from L'Etoile in Madison, Wisconsin, known for its menu that highlights locally grown ingredients.Roast Rack of Lamb with Cider Glaze

18 of 44

Maple Butter Twists

These breakfast rolls are a family tradition with Jean Haviland of Carroll, Iowa. "My mom made these rolls with a maple-cream filling-and still does!" she says. "Mom always makes extra and freezes them for later. They're great for breakfast or any time of day!"Maple Butter Twists

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 44

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Warm Blueberry Compote

Rise and shine with these special-occasion pancakes from chef Mindy Segal of Mindy's HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar in Chicago. Ricotta makes them moist and rich; lemon curd gives sweet-tart punch.Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Warm Blueberry Compote

20 of 44

Easter Egg Potatoes

Turn small baked potatoes into Easter egg shapes by mashing the pulp with sour cream and seasonings, and then standing the potatoes on end. It's an easy side you can prepare the day before Easter.Easter Egg Potatoes

21 of 44

Blueberry Thunder Muffins

A sprinkle of cinnamon-sugar gives a sweet crust to these berry-packed muffins.Blueberry Thunder Muffins

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 44

Ham and Mushroom Lasagna

This creamy, crazy-delicious lasagna is simple, too, thanks to jarred Alfredo sauce and no-boil noodles. If you're lucky enough to have a specialty grocery store or Italian deli that sells all-natural refrigerated Alfredo sauce without preservatives, this is a great way to use it.Ham and Mushroom Lasagna

23 of 44

Spinach Quiche a la Goldmoor

An easy-to-use frozen spinach souffle makes this quiche's eggy-sausage filling easy to prepare. The recipe is from the Goldmoor Inn near Galena, Illinois.Spinach Quiche a la Goldmoor

24 of 44

Best Cinnamon Rolls

This potluck standout is a Minnesota reader's favorite recipe -- and we love it, too. It made our list of Midwest Living® 20 best recipes of all time. Best Cinnamon Rolls

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 44

Carrot Soup with Tarragon and Cream

Thickened with a little potato and flavored with leeks, shallot, white wine and the faintly anise-y herb tarragon, this sleeper hit of a soup is subtle, springy and unexpectedly special.Carrot Soup with Tarragon and Cream

26 of 44

Blueberry Surprise French Toast Casserole

Cream cheese is the secret ingredient in this casserole, which gets a generous topping of blueberry or maple syrup. You can assemble the casserole the night before your Easter brunch.Blueberry Surprise French Toast Casserole

27 of 44

Hint-of-Orange Pancakes with Grapefruit Syrup

This recipe couldn't be simpler! Just simmer grapefruit slices in maple syrup for a delicious, rosy compote to serve over waffles, French toast, crepes-or these subtly orange-flavored pancakes.Hint-of-Orange Pancakes with Grapefruit Syrup

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 44

Devilishly Good Deviled Eggs

A hint of curry and some chutney elevate these deviled eggs to spectacular. Spoon the filling into a sandwich-size clear plastic bag and snip a corner for easy piping.Devilishly Good Deviled Eggs

29 of 44

Chocolanutty Banana Cake

Dessert or coffee cake? It's up to you. A hint of orange rounds out the flavors.Chocolanutty Banana Cake

30 of 44

Greens, Eggs and Ham Potato Salad

Loaded with protein and fresh greens, this is a simple yet flavorful potato salad. Paired with a fruit salad, it's almost hearty enough to eat as a meal.Greens, Eggs and Ham Potato Salad

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 44

Any-Flavor Mini Quiche

Talk about easy! You can prep these delicious little quiches the night before, or make them in the morning while the oven preheats. They're perfect for brunch parties, and you can use whatever meat, cheese and veggies you have on hand.Any-Flavor Mini Quiche

32 of 44

Healthy Green Bean Casserole

Bread crumbs combine with tender, sweet onion to top this casserole, while low-sodium soup mixes with yogurt for the green bean sauce.Healthy Green Bean Casserole

33 of 44

Scrambled Eggs in Potato Nests

Make this egg dish in just 20 minutes. Packaged hash browns form the nest, and the filling is a simple scramble of eggs and chives topped with cheese.Scrambled Eggs in Potato Nests

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 44

Asparagus-Ham Bake

Bake a hearty breakfast or brunch casserole with cubed ham, fresh or frozen asparagus, rice and Swiss cheese. A sprinkle of panko mixed with melted butter gives the dish a crispy topping.Asparagus-Ham Bake 

35 of 44

Carrot Cake Pancakes

Treat all your little bunnies (and the big ones, too) to a short stack of veggie-flecked flapjacks.Whip up your favorite plain, buttermilk or whole wheat pancake batter. Stir finely grated carrot and pumpkin pie spice into the batter. If you like, add golden raisins. Griddle pancakes as usual. Combine an 8-ounce can of crushed pineapple (partially drained) and an 8-ounce tub of cream cheese. Sweeten with brown sugar; top with nuts.

36 of 44

Sugared Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Bacon, smoked links and brown sugar combine for a sweet-and-salty brunch sausage.Sugared Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 44